Multi-lumen spinal implant guide and method

Abstract

The present invention provides instruments and methods for insertion of multiple spinal implants into the intervertebral space between opposing vertebral bodies. Instrumentation according to the invention includes a multi-lumen guide, complimentary obturators, drill depth guides and other associated instruments. The methods of the invention provide for greater ease and accuracy in aligning multiple spinal implants in an intervertebral disk space.

We claim:  
     
       1. A multi-lumen guide for implanting a spinal fusion device between opposing vertebral bodies, the multi-lumen guide comprising: 
       a first elongate lumen having a first cross sectional geometry;  
       a second elongate lumen having a second cross sectional geometry;  
       the second elongate lumen being adjacent and parallel to the first elongate lumen;  
       the first cross sectional geometry and the second cross sectional geometry overlap;  
       the first elongate lumen defined by a first wall and the second elongate lumen defined by a second wall, the first wall having a first wall opening between the first elongate lumen and an exterior surface of the multi-lumen guide.  
     
     
       2. The multi-lumen guide according to claim  1  wherein the first cross sectional geometry of the first elongate lumen is circular. 
     
     
       3. The multi-lumen guide according to claim  1  having a first end with an anchoring arrangement for securing the multi-lumen guide to the vertebral bodies. 
     
     
       4. The multi-lumen guide according to claim  3  wherein the anchoring arrangement comprises at least two teeth. 
     
     
       5. The multi-lumen guide according to claim  3  wherein the first end further comprises at least one lateral paddle. 
     
     
       6. The multi-lumen guide according to claim  5  wherein the first end comprises two diametrically opposing lateral paddles. 
     
     
       7. The multi-lumen guide according to claim  1  wherein the first wall opening is an elongate slot. 
     
     
       8. The multi-lumen guide according to claim  7  wherein the second wall has a second wall opening between the second elongate lumen and the exterior surface of the multi-lumen guide and wherein the first wall opening and the second wall opening face one another. 
     
     
       9. A kit for placement of a spinal implant between opposing vertebral bodies, the kit comprising: 
       a multi-lumen guide comprising:  
       (i) a first elongate lumen having a first cross sectional geometry;  
       (ii) a second elongate lumen having a second cross sectional geometry;  
       (iii) the second elongate lumen being adjacent and parallel to the first elongate lumen; and  
       (iv) the first cross sectional geometry and the second cross sectional geometry overlap;  
       a first obturator having a cross-sectional configuration allowing passage of the first obturator into the first elongate lumen, the cross-sectional configuration of the first obturator being substantially cylindrical;  
       a second obturator having a cross-sectional configuration allowing passage of the second obturator into the first elongate lumen and having a flat side parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second obturator.  
     
     
       10. A kit according to claim  9  wherein the first obturator has a first end including a handle and a second end including a threaded protuberance. 
     
     
       11. A kit according to claim  10  further comprising a distraction spacer. 
     
     
       12. A kit according to claim  11  wherein the distraction spacer includes a threaded bore for receiving the threaded protuberance of the first obturator. 
     
     
       13. A kit according to claim  9  wherein the first obturator and second obturator are different lengths. 
     
     
       14. A kit according to claim  9  further comprising a spacer cap. 
     
     
       15. A kit according to claim  14  wherein the spacer cap comprises 
       a hollow oval body having  
       (i) a first end and a second end;  
       (ii) an interior surface and an exterior surface, the interior surface having an axially projecting shoulder;  
       (iii) a first longitudinal wall diametrically opposite a second longitudinal wall; and  
       (iv) a first curved wall diametrically opposite a second curved wall.  
     
     
       16. A kit according to claim  15  wherein the first curved wall has a slot therethrough. 
     
     
       17. A method for implanting a spinal implant into a disk space between opposing vertebral bodies the method comprising: 
       placing a first distraction spacer into a first side of a disk space between opposing vertebral bodies;  
       placing a second distraction spacer into a second side of a disk space between opposing vertebral bodies;  
       mounting a distal end of a first obturator to a selected one of the first and second distraction spacers, the first obturator having a cross-sectional configuration which is substantially cylindrical;  
       positioning a multi-lumen guide over the first obturator, the multi-lumen guide comprising:  
       (i) a first elongate lumen having a first cross sectional geometry;  
       (ii) a second elongate lumen having a second cross sectional geometry;  
       (iii) the second elongate lumen being adjacent and parallel to the first elongate lumen; and  
       (iv) the first cross sectional geometry and the second cross sectional geometry overlap;  
       and  
       removing a selected one of the first distraction spacer and the second distraction spacer from the disk space for boring a hole between opposing vertebral bodies on the side of the removed distraction spacer.  
     
     
       18. A method according to claim  17  wherein the first and second distraction spacers are placed in the disk space between opposing vertebral bodies simultaneously. 
     
     
       19. A method according to claim  17  wherein the first guide lumen and the second guide lumen are fixed together with a collar. 
     
     
       20. A method according to claim  17  wherein the first guide lumen and the second guide lumen are fixed together prior to positioning the multi-lumen guide over the first obturator. 
     
     
       21. A method according to claim  17  wherein the first obturator is mounted to the selected one of the first and second distraction spacers before the multi-lumen guide is positioned over the first obturator. 
     
     
       22. A method according to claim  17  further comprising a step of mounting a distal end of a second obturator to a selected one of the first and second distraction spacers, the second obturator having a flat side parallel to a longitudinal axis of the second obturator. 
     
     
       23. A method according to claim  22  wherein the second obturator is mounted to the distraction spacer before the multi-lumen guide tube is positioned over the first obturator.